The Rundown for Feb. 8, 2019

DEMS ON HOUSE PANEL SEEK TRUMP TAX RETURNS… Democrats have taken their biggest step yet in forcing President Trump to release his tax returns. The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing yesterday to discuss the legality of presidential and vice presidential tax filings. The committee says it believes the public has a right to see the returns but is already facing resistance from Republicans who cite privacy concerns and what they consider an abuse of authority. Trump promised during the presidential campaign that he would release his tax returns if elected, but has yet to do so.

FORMER MICHIGAN CONGRESSMAN JOHN DINGELL DIES… Former Michigan Democratic congressman John Dingell, whose 59 years in office made him the longest-serving member ever of Congress, died yesterday after a battle with cancer. He was 92 and had been in Hospice care. Dingell helped write most of America’s major environmental and energy laws while championing the auto industry and increasing access to health care.

BARR’S NOMINATION CLEARS KEY HURDLE… William Barr’s nomination for attorney general is on its way to the full Senate following its approval by the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday. The 12-10 vote was along party lines. Barr is expected to be confirmed when the Republican-led Senate votes next week. He faces resistance from Democrats who question his transparency in overseeing the investigation into potential coordination between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign.

FDA TAKES ACTION AGAINST TOBACCO SALES TO MINORS… The Food and Drug Administration announced yesterday that it is taking action against certain retailers for repeated violations of tobacco-sale rules. Walgreens and Circle K stores are among retailers accused of selling tobacco products to minors. Investigators say 22 percent of Wahlgreens inspected stores illegally sold tobacco products to underage consumers. The FDA says its action against Walgreens follows more than 1,550 warning letters and 240 civil money penalty actions against its stores nationwide.

JEFF BEZOS STANDS UP TO NATIONAL ENQUIRER… Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos stood up yesterday against what he characterized a blackmail and extortion plot launched against him by National Enquirer owner American Media Inc. Bezos says the plot is a response to an investigation he launched after the National Enquirer published a story alleging Bezos was having an affair. Bezos said in an online post yesterday that he was approached with an offer from AMI, saying that “they had more of my text messages and photos that they would publish if we didn’t stop our investigation.” Bezos claims the blackmail and extortion plot involved “intimate” photos. According to Bezos, the Enquirer offered not to publish the photos in exchange for a public statement from Bezos that the Enquirer’s reporting was not politically motivated.

EXECUTION IN ALABAMA… A 42-year-old man convicted for the murder of a 15-year-old girl was executed in Alabama last night. Dominique Ray had complained in a legal challenge that the state discriminated against him by not allowing his Islamic spiritual adviser to be present in the execution chamber. State officials refused to let a non-prison employee into the execution room but agreed not to have a Christian chaplain present.

ENTERTAINMENTWOODY ALLEN SUES AMAZON… Woody Allen has filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against Amazon Studios. The action comes in response to Amazon releasing two of Allen’s films but canceling a third. The 83-year-old filmmaker claims the studio killed the deal without cause. Allen’s lawsuit alleges Amazon’s pullout was based on the accusation that Allen molested adopted daughter Dylan Farrow in 1992.

IN THEATERS… In the animated sequel “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part,” citizens are threatened by Lego Duplo invaders from outer space. The film is rated PG. “What Men Want” centers on a woman who gains an unexpected edge over men when she develops the ability to hear their thoughts. The R-rated comedy stars Taraji P. Henson and Kristen Ledlow. “Cold Pursuit” tells the story about a snowplow driver who seeks revenge against the drug dealers he thinks killed his son. Liam Neeson and Laura Dern star in the R-rated drama.

PORTLAND 127 – San Antonio 118… The Trail Blazers took control with a big second quarter and held on to down the Spurs. CJ McCollum made seven 3-pointers and finished with 30 points. Damian Lillard added 24 points and Jusuf Nurkic tossed in 22 points.

TONIGHT’S NBA SCHEDULE…
Cleveland is at Washington…
Philadelphia hosts Denver…
New York is at Detroit…
Brooklyn hosts Chicago…
Milwaukee is at Dallas…
Phoenix hosts Golden State…
Minnesota is at New Orleans…
Sacramento hosts Miami

The Brooklyn Nets acquired Greg Monroe and a second-round pick from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for cash considerations. The Raptors acquired Marc Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies for Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, C.J. Miles, 2024 second-round pick. The Grizzlies also acquired Avery Bradley from the L.A. Clippers in exchange for Garrett Temple and JaMychal Green. The Clippers acquired Michael Beasley and Ivica Zubac from the L.A. Lakers in exchange for Mike Muscala…

The Orlando Magic acquired Markelle Fultz from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Jonathan Simmons and draft picks. The 76ers also acquired James Ennis from the Houston Rockets in exchange for 2021 second-round pick…

The Portland Trail Blazers acquired Caleb Swanigan from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Skal Labissiere…

The Indiana Pacers acquired Nik Stauskas, Wade Baldwin from the Houston Rockets in exchange for a future second-round pick…

The Milwaukee Bucks acquired Nikola Mirotic from the New Orleans Pelicans to complete a three-team trade. New Orleans receives Jason Smith, Stanley Johnson, four second-round picks. The Bucks had acquired Johnson from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Thon Maker.

WASHINGTON 4 – Colorado 3 (OT)… The Capitals recovered to hand the Avalanche their fifth straight loss after blowing a two-goal third-period lead. Evgeny Kuznetsov won it with his second goal of the game at 4:12 of overtime. Alex Ovechkin had two assists.

N.Y. Islanders 2 – NEW JERSEY 1 (SO)… Josh Bailey’s goal in the fourth round of the shootout gave the Islanders a hard-fought win over the Devils. Thomas Greiss made 30 saves at goal.

Carolina 6 – BUFFALO 5 (OT)… Teuvo Teravainen’s second goal of the game came at 3:25 of overtime and sent the Hurricanes past the Sabres. Teravainen also had an assist. Sebastian Aho assisted on two goals.

MONTREAL 5 – Winnipeg 2… Jonathan Drouin scored two goals and assisted on two others in leading the Canadiens past the Jets. Goalie Carey Price made 32 saves.

OTTAWA 4 – Anaheim 0… Goalie Anders Nilsson stopped all 45 shots in his first shutout of the season and the Senators breezed past the Ducks to snap their five-game skid. Matt Duchene netted a pair of goals for Ottawa.

Vegas 4 – DETROIT 3… Jonathan Marchessault scored twice during a three-goal second period and the Golden Knights got a third-period goal from Brayden McNabb to get past the Red Wings. William Karlsson had a goal and an assist.

NASHVILLE 3 – Dallas 2 (OT)… Ryan Johansen found the net 43 seconds into overtime as the Predators ended the Stars. Viktor Arvidsson had a goal and an assist. Juuse Saros made 27 saves at goal.

Columbus 4 – ARIZONA 2… Josh Anderson and Boone Jenner each had a goal and an assist as the Blue Jackets doubled up on the Coyotes. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 29 shots at goal.

San Jose 5 – CALGARY 2… The Sharks opened with a three-goal first period and coasted past the Flames. Evander Kane and Tomas Hertl each scored two goals and had an assist. Brett Burns added a goal and an assist. Jonathan Donskoi assisted on two goals. Martin Jones was stellar at goal with 38 saves.

MLB NEWS… Baseball Hall-of-Famer Frank Robinson died yesterday following a lengthy illness. He was 83. As a player, Robinson was a 14-time All Star who hit 586 career home runs and became the first person to win MVP in both leagues. In 1975, he was named Major League Baseball’s first African-American manager when he took over the Cleveland Indians. He also managed the San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals… The Philadelphia Phillies acquired All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto from the Miami Marlins yesterday. In exchange, Miami gets catcher Jorge Alfaro, pitching prospects Sixto Sanchez and Will Stewart, and an international bonus slot.